Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Polymer Clay Beads, Buttons, and Bangles


I am pretty new to polymer clay, but I enjoy playing around with it. I made a batch of beads, buttons and bangles, with various textures and colors. You can click on the picture to get a better view. I just joined a couple of Yahoo groups to try to learn more about polymer clay, but I would love any suggestions you all might have.

I might use some of the buttons in a mixed-media piece that I am working on right now--I haven't decided. I'm not sure why I used such boring colors--remedied that today by getting a few brighter shades of polymer clay for the next batch. I'm also thinking that the little buttons would be fun as the closure on one of my fabric books.

7 comments:

Beena said...

Pair these with the right blue fabric, and they will just sing! I don't find their color boring at all. These are gorgeous. I can't wait until you post pictures of them in an art quilt or project!!!! Very nice!

Vicki W said...

Great buttons for someone "new" to polymer clay!

Ginny Gaskill said...

I think these look really good and not boring. Think African or autumn and great ideas come to mind. Good job girlfriend.

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

You buttons and bangles turned out really good. And I agree, your colors are not boring.

One thing that would help in giving your beads a professional look and feel, it to wet sand them. You will need to use wet/dry sandpaper in grits of 320, 400, 600, 800 and 1200 grit, to get a beautiful smooth glassy finish.

Buffing with a piece of denim or craft felt will also help bring a lovely shine. If you need any help with sanding, come to my blog.

Julie Bagamary said...

They are nice and shiny with lots of texture. Good for you!

Elizabeth in NM said...

Cindy,
Thanks for the great tip about sanding them--I'll give that a try!

Elizabeth said...

Oh yes- d as Beena suggested!! Ona cobalt blue these will be stunning!!! i love adding buttons and danglies from all sorts of things and altered books and joutrnals and journal pages of fabric mixed with paper are the perfect place to add such beautiful splashes!!!!!
love them!
Elizabeth